Story

French injury troubles worsened Tuesday as two of their key players, skipper Fabien Pelous and flanker Olivier Magne, were forced out of the team's raining session here because of injury.

Pelous was forced to leave training fter just 35 minutes because of a stiff back, while flanker Magne missed the ntire session to undergo medical tests.

Pelous left the pitch clutching his ack and had to receive treatment, while Magne, who had a key role in France's hock World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand last year, has been complaining f muscle pains in his right leg.

Both players were among the 22-man squad named Monday for their Six Nations match against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Although the results of Magne's medical examination should be known later on Tuesday afternoon, team coach Bernard Laporte said he had "little hope" that the Montferrand player would line out on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Laporte, already facing the task of rebuilding morale after a 15-9 home loss to England, urged his men to remain positive in the face of a devastating injury toll.

Laporte has been forced to name three rookies in his squad in Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Sebastien Chabal and Jean Daude, an inexperienced backline duo in Gerald Merceron and Cedric Desbrosse and to recall Arnaud Costes and Aubin Hueber, who has not played at international level for five years.